History of Homer Township, Bates County, MissouriFrom: History of Bates County, Missouri
By: W. O. Atkeson
Historical Publishing Company
Topeka - Cleveland 1918

Homer Township.

Homer is bounded on the west by the state of Kansas. It is an undulating prairie country, of fair upland, and
rich bottoms, along Mulberry creek and the Marais des Cygnes river. It is well watered and has abundant timber
and coal.

Among the pioneers of Homer in the antebellum days may be mentioned Jeremiah and Thomas Jackson, and another Thomas
Jackson, called "Yankee Jackson" to distinguish him, H. B. Frances, Thomas Francis, William Braden, Pierce
Hackett, J. M. Rogers, Bluford Merchant, Chesléy Hart, and D. R, Braden, The Francis brothers were from
Illinois, the Bradens from Ohio and Hackett from England. Among others who came near the close of the war, and
who helped shape the progress of the township were, Robert Leech, Judge Lyman Hall, James W. ands J, T, Whinnery,
R. M. Brown, Dr. J. M. and Hugh Gailey, Jeremiah Rankin, William and Judge D. V. Brown, James Pilgrim, Gilliam
Rodgers, David Braden, and Judge John A. Lefker, who erected a saw mill on the Marais des Cygnes river in 1870,
at what is now known as Hawkins' Ferry, and in 1875 he made it a grist mill as well.

About the year 1867 the government established a postoffice at Mulberry, on Mulberry creek, at the home of Robert
Leech, and soon became and continued for some years to be, quite a trading post, store, blacksmith shop, school,
etc., but as to the village it may now be said to have taken its place among other promising villages and towns
of the early days, which are now extinct.

Amoret is situate on the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Gulf railroad, and was laid out in 1890 by the Missoua Coal
& Construction Company, It has a bank, several stores, other shops, an elevator and warehouses. It is just
one mile from the state line in the south central part of the township. The great Darby orchard of 800 acres comes
right up to the city limits and the fruit industry affords employment for many laborers, It ranks among the best
business towns on what is called the Kansas City Southern railroad in this county,

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